The Political Junkie offers an outside-looking- in view of the US. Each day, we will highlight news and opinion pieces from around the world that are focused on US politics and policy. Agree or disagree with the opinions you will read but take a few minutes to see yourselves as others see you.

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Monday, August 20, 2012

Australia: "legitimate rape"

John Eligon, Michael Schwirtz

KANSAS CITY, Missouri: In an effort to explain his stance on
abortion, Todd Akin, the Republican Senate nominee from Missouri,
provoked ire across the political spectrum by saying in instances of
''legitimate rape'', women's bodies somehow blocked an unwanted
pregnancy.

Asked in an interview on a St Louis television station about
his views on abortion, Mr Akin, a six-term member of Congress and a
favourite of Tea Party conservatives, made it clear his opposition to
the practice was nearly absolute, even in instances of rape.

''It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that's
really rare,'' Mr Akin said of pregnancies from rape. ''If it's a
legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole
thing down. But let's assume that maybe that didn't work or something: I
think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be
of the rapist, and not attacking the child.''